AGARTALA, May 26 (TIWN): With rampant rise of road accident deaths, the State Government has finally decided to crack the whip on driving schools, making tests tougher it may not be an easy ride for license-seekers anymore, say department officials.

In a State where corruption in transport offices is rampant and getting a license is as simple as passing on Rs. 500 to driving schools or touts, the Transport department, at long last, has realized that issue of licenses on a large-scale without putting drivers through rigorous tests is one of the main reasons for accidents.

"We have asked all transport offices to fail candidates ruthlessly. At present, anyone who has minimum driving skills passes the test. But, in future, only those with maximum expertise will pass the test," says a senior official.

But that may be easier said than done with driving schools' strong hold over transport offices hence, the Government has launched a crackdown on the schools. Several institutes failed to meet even the minimum stipulations laid down by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

For instance, many of them do not even have the minimum space of 150 sqft. And many instructors do not have the minimum five years experience nor the required certificate course in motor mechanics. In some cases, they did not even have traffic sign charts and driving manual.

Another matter of concern is the "primitive" facilities for conducting tests. In most transport offices, including Agartala, tests are conducted not in driving ranges, but on busy roads. Easy for motor vehicle inspectors and touts.

However, license-seekers are worried that the `bribe raj’ could get worse on the pretext of making tests rigorous. However, top officials assure that a crackdown on transport office would accompany the tough testing procedures. For, only scrupulous motor vehicle inspectors can ensure safe drivers and safe roads.